The Ultimate Dog Training Quiz

Training a dog might not be as easy as one-two-three, but it's rewarding for both handler and dog. With consistent efforts it can bring out the best in the duo, generating desirable behaviors in the dog and satisfaction on the part of both. Take this quiz to learn more about how dog training works.

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Question 1 of 20

How much money do Americans spend on their pet dogs per year?

more than $40,000

more than $40 million

more than $40 billion

According to 2005 figures, it was just under $40 billion then and is certainly more today.

Question 2 of 20

What are the main differences between the various dog training methods?

how quickly they work and how much the dog and handler enjoy them

Of all the training methods available, they differ in how quickly they work and how much the dog and handler enjoy them.

how difficult they are and how much the dog absorbs the concepts being taught

how expensive they are to implement

Question 3 of 20

In Pavlov's original study, he added the component of _____ to the paired salivating-feeding operations.

food preparation

bell ringing

He added bell ringing so that the dog would associate the three components together: bell ringing, salivating and being fed.

flashing lights

Question 4 of 20

Pavlov termed the salivating phenomenon as _____ whereas the bell ringing was _____

an unconditioned stimulus, a conditioned stimulus

The salivating was an unconditioned stimulus insofar as it was natural and no training was involved, whereas the bell ringing was a conditioned stimulus that prompted a conditioned, or trained, response.

a conditioned response, an unconditioned stimulus

an unconditioned response, an unconditioned stimulus

Question 5 of 20

Regarding classical conditioning, which applies to both animals and humans, is the learning active or passive?

it differs between animals and humans

active

passive

The learning is passive, even involuntary. A human example of this is when we tense up at the sound of an ambulance driving past. This response is involuntary and learned passively.

Question 6 of 20

What does the reward and punishment system, introduced by Skinner, rely on?

the age group of the learner

the actions of the learner

It relies on the actions of the learner. If the learner acts in a certain way, he or she will receive a reward and the converse is true, too. But the choice is voluntary.

the wishes of the trainer

Question 7 of 20

What did Skinner call his approach to learned, conditioned behavior?

behavior conditioning

operant conditioning

He called it operant conditioning: The operant is the learner's action on the environment to elicit a desired response.

operant behavior

Question 8 of 20

Which of these is an example of a negative reward?

a tug on the collar to pull the animal in a certain direction

giving a sugar cube for waving the foot

a horse galloping faster to stop the pressure of spurs

A negative reward refers to the removal of something as a reward. In this case, the horse having to gallop faster to remove pressure is the negative reward.

Question 9 of 20

If you don't like to use the negative reward of an electronic collar for ethical reasons, how else can you train your dog?

You can use positive rewards, such as praise and patting.

The possibilities are unlimited, but your best bet is to use positive rewards, like praise or patting.

You can use a stick.

You can use electronic prongs.

Question 10 of 20

What's the best reinforcement for all dogs?

it differs for every dog

Every dog is different, so what works for one might not work at all for another. Just like people, dogs have their likes and dislikes too.

snacks and treats

dog toys

Question 11 of 20

What animals did the Brelands conduct a training experiment on in the 1950s?

wild cats

marine animals

They experimented on marine animals, teaching them to recognize a marker of desired behavior, even when it wasn't the final action before receiving a reward.

circus animals

Question 12 of 20

If the marker isn't the reward, what is it?

a consolation prize

a signal of correct behavior and the promise of a reward

The marker is a signal that the behavior is correct and that a reward will follow soon.

an encouraging sign of affection

Question 13 of 20

What is a common marker that people use, especially after it was introduced by animal behaviorist Karen Pryor?

a sharp, swift bell ring

a high-pitched whistle

a metal clicker

Many people use a simple metal clicker.

Question 14 of 20

When using a voice marker, what should you consider?

The word should be short and specific.

The tone must be consistent.

Both of the above are correct.

The word used as a marker should be short and specific and the tone consistent.

Question 15 of 20

How does the trainer help the dog understand that clicking means a treat will follow?

by repeatedly clicking at the beginning and immediately offering a treat

The trainer begins by repeatedly clicking, then immediately offering a treat.

by telling the dog in soothing tones

by giving a treat, then clicking, giving a treat, then clicking again

Question 16 of 20

In the process of dog training, what is meant be shaping?

The dog's behavior is shaped to conform to what is expected of it.

The dog is lured into a shaped structure to elicit desired behavior.

As the dog learns a new step, the standard for what earns a reward gets higher.

It's a step-by-step process, during which the stakes get higher as the dog becomes ready to learn more.

Question 17 of 20

If you command your dog to sit while you're standing, then do so again while you're sitting down, why is it difficult for the dog to understand the command?

because animals are contextual learners

Animals are contextual learners, so your changing position is, in a sense, a change of context for the dog.

because the dog doesn't know whether to do what you're doing or the opposite

because the dog misreads the signals

Question 18 of 20

What is the hardest part of using the clicker system?

remembering to click when you want to offer a reward

having good timing and consistency

The hardest part, at least from the trainer's point of view, is having good timing and consistency.

holding the clicker while training the dog

Question 19 of 20

What is the usual explanation for a dog's failure to learn something?

the dog's lack of intelligence

the dog's unwillingness to cooperate

a breakdown in communication

It usually boils down to a breakdown in communication. The responsibility, then, would rest on the trainer to try to improve the communication and make it clearer.

Question 20 of 20

What is a downside of punishers?

They don't elicit the desired behavior effectively.

They're often associated with the handler rather than the misbehavior.

Punishers in the form of unpleasant consequences are often associated with the handler rather than the transgressed behavior.